From the HERE City State Desk
Moisture from Tropical Storm Isaias is expected to reach Tennessee this weekend, bringing a risk of heavy rain by Saturday after the storm makes landfall on the northern Gulf Coast.
The National Weather Service forecasts 1 to 3 inches of rain and winds around 30 mph in Middle Tennessee. The National Hurricane Center said late Wednesday that rainfall of 1 to 3 inches, with localized amounts up to 5 inches, is possible across much of the Southeast as far north as the Tennessee Valley, with flash and urban flooding possible.
If the forecast shifts toward heavier rain, flooding could raise the risk of landslides in hilly areas. Forecasters recommend watching for updates and being ready to change travel plans.
The rain could also ease drought conditions. Middle Tennessee reached moderate to severe drought levels by the last week of September, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.
The tornado risk from Isaias is low in Tennessee and highest in Alabama, Georgia and Florida. As of 10 p.m. CDT Wednesday, Isaias had top winds near 70 mph and was expected to become a strong hurricane before landfall late Friday or early Saturday.